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NOS Vintage Fidelity-Research FR-64fx Precision Tonearm Kit - 100% Complete Time-Capsule Mint Condition - Tested & CleanThe Ultimate Collector-Grade Fidelity-Research FR-64fx SetUp for sale is an absolute time-capsule example of the legendary Fidelity-Research FR-64fx Precision Tonearm. This is a true New Old Stock (NOS) style kit that has been meticulously preserved in immaculate, investment-grade condition.Finding an FR-64fx is rare, but finding a complete, pristine factory package in this state is an absolute unicorn for high-end audiophiles and vintage audio collectors.Unmatched Completeness & Pristine Provenance:• Original Factory Packaging: Comes complete with the original outer box, internal form-fitting protective inserts, and matching factory serial number stamping (082966).• The Rare Factory Phono Cable: Includes the highly sought-after, original factory 5-pin DIN to RCA phono connecting cable, sitting pristine inside its dedicated custom-molded bottom styrofoam tray layer.• All Factory Accessories Present: Complete with the authentic FR-branded headshell, original heavy counterweights, inside force canceller (IFC) weight assembly, mounting base nut, and original grounding template paperwork.Verified & Flawless Technical Performance:While this unit remains in stunning cosmetic condition with its original crisp, deep-matte black finish completely intact, it has been professionally inspected to ensure absolute plug-and-play
This is a seller’s market for desirable vintage tonearms, but this asking price is clearly ambitious. Your database puts comparable examples at a US$138 median, with the 75th percentile at US$299; at US$2,150, this is more than seven times that upper-quartile figure. Even allowing for a genuinely exceptional, complete example, the price needs unusually strong justification.
The FR-64fx is a serious, well-regarded arm: its roughly 20 g effective mass suits a broad range of moving-coil cartridges, and its build quality, removable headshell, adjustable geometry, and stable, relaxed presentation keep it desirable. A pristine original kit with its correct base, hardware, headshell, counterweight, cable, and documentation could command a premium, but the listing’s unknown condition is a major gap at this level. Unless it is unusually complete and near-mint, this looks like a negotiation candidate rather than a buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Fidelity Research emerged from Tokyo in 1964, founded by Isamu Ikeda amid Japan's postwar audio boom. The company quickly established itself as a precision engineering powerhouse, focusing on analog playback components during the golden age of vinyl. Operating until around 1984, it embodied the meticulous craftsmanship that defined high-end Japanese hi-fi, with designs that prioritized sonic purity and mechanical innovation.
The brand specialized in moving-coil (MC) phono cartridges and tonearms, earning acclaim for models like the MC-202 cartridge and the iconic FR-64 and FR-66 series. These products featured advanced materials such as stainless steel and specialized alloys, delivering exceptional tracking, detail retrieval, and dynamics. While not venturing into amplifiers, speakers, or digital gear like DACs, Fidelity Research honed a narrow but masterful niche in turntable essentials.
Today, Fidelity Research holds vintage-collector status among discerning audiophiles, revered for its high-end analog prowess. Once priced at premiums like $495 for top tonearms, its gear commands cult following in the used market, prized for timeless transparency and build quality that rivals modern boutique offerings. For vinyl enthusiasts seeking uncompromised heritage, it remains a benchmark.
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